Hand restraining device



Dec. 10, 1968 A. 1.. BLOCK HAND RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed NOV. 2l, 1966 INVENTOR ALVIN LEE BLOCK ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,415,244 HAND RESTRAINING DEVICE Alvin Lee Block, 3250 Beard Road, Napa, Calif. 94558 Filed Nov. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 595,687 9 Claims. (Cl. 128-133) This invention relates to a hand guard for limiting the manual dexterity of an individual and, more particularly, to a hand guard for use in geriatrics.

The present invention resides in a hand guard of improved construction which can be quickly and easily placed about the hand or removed from it without caus ing discomfort to the wearer while, at the same time, allowing some freedom of movement of the hand while it is enclosed within the guard. Specifically, the hand guard includes a pair of hingedly interconnected shells havingrespective wrist portions provided with complemental fastening means thereon. When the shells are swung together and abut each other, they mate to define a closed space for receiving the hand. The wrist portions also mate to form a sleeve for encircling the wrist. The fastening means automatically and quickly connects the wrist portions as the latter are brought together and allows easy separation of these wrist portions when the hand is to be freed.

While handguards are useful in a number of different situations, they have been found extremely helpful in the treatment of elderly patients where it is necessary that these patients be prevented from using their hands during certain periods, such as during blood transfusions, intravenous feedings and the like. Without restraint in the use of the hands during such periods, an irrational patient can oftentimes cause injury to himself'or others and can cause damage to medical equipment used for treatment of the patient. Precautions should be taken to avoid these occurrences especially where the patient is left alone even for a short time.

The present invention is especially adapted for satisfying this need by providing a hand guard which, when worn, cages the hand but allows at least limited movements of the fingers and palm of the hand to avoid cramping or other discomfort. Since the fastening zone is located within the wrist portion ,ofthe hand guard, the patient can in no way have access to this zone. As a result, the hand guard is positively locked on the wrist of the wearer and cannot :be removed without an attendant. Also, by securing the band guard to the wrist, the main body of the guard will be properly supported at all times while it is being worn and the guard will not be loose on the hand to avoid chafing the skin.

. Another advantage of the invention is that its two shell sections can be molded from a lightweight, abrasionresistant plastic material using well-known molding techniques so as to simplify the constnuction and to minimize production costs. Also, the hand guard can be made to fit a wide range of hand sizes and its ball-shaped outer configuration provides sufficient space so as not to cramp the hand when it is worn. This confi-guartion avoids sharp corners and other boundaries so that it is extremely difficult or impossible for a patient to grasp, pull or pick up objects near the patient.

It is the primary object to provide an improved hand guard having wrist portions for encircling the wrists when the hand guard is on the hand whereby fastening means on the wrist portions can couple the latter together and provide a positive connection for keeping the hand guard on the hand.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lightweight, rigid hand guand which is simple and rugged in construction and can be comprised of molded partsformed by the use of well-konwn molding techniques to minimize production costs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hand guard of the type described wherein the wrist portions have complemental, resilient fastening members which are within the wrist portions and become interconnected when the wrist portions are brought together, whereby the hand guard can be quickly placed on and secured to the hand and the fastening members Will be concealed and thereby inaccessible to the wearer.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings therein:

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hand guard when its shells are brought together to form a hand receiving space;

FIG. 2 is a side, elevational view, partly in section, showing the shells separated;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, end elevation view showing the hinge interconnecting the shells;

FIG. 4 is an end, elevational view of the end faces of the wrist portions; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view of the fastening means on the wrist portions.

Hand guard comprises a pair of hemispherical shells 12 and 14 which are interconnected by a hinge 16 for swinging movement toward and away from each other. In FIG. 2, the shells are shown in their open position before they are placed on the hand. Shells 12 and 14 are movable from these open positions to closed positions with the respective marginal edges 18 and 20 in abutting relationship .as shown in FIG. 1. In their closed positions, shells 12 and 14 define a hand receiving space 22 (FIG. 3) while a pair of semi-cylindrical wrist portions 24 and 26 on respective shells 12 and 14 define a tubular, wristreceiving unit 28.

Shells 12 and 14 have .air holes 30 therethrough to a]- low circulation of air into and out of space 22. Similarly, wrist portions 24 and 26 have air holes 32 for this same purpose and each of the wrists has a porous cushioning member 34 secured to its inner surface. Members 34 may be formed from any suitable material such as foam rubber or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, wrist portions 24 and 26 are at locations on respective shells diametrically opposed to the location of hinge 16 thereon. An arcuate lip 36 is rigidly secured to shell 14 .adjacent to marginal edge 20 and is disposed for guiding edges 18 and 20 into abutting relationship !when the shells are brought together. In FIG. 3, lip 36 is shown in juxtaposition with the inner surface of shell 18 when the hand guard is closed.

Hinge 16 may be of any desired construction. For purposes of illustration, it comprises a plastic strip 38 secured by rivets 40 to the shells. Strip 38 has a V-shaped groove 42 which is aligned with the marginal edge segments of the shells adjacent thereto. This groove defines the axes of swinging movement of the shells.

Wrist portion 24 has a pair of grooves 44 on its inner surface adjacent to respective marginal edges 46 thereof. Wrist portion 26 has a pair of resilient tongues 48 rigid to and extending outwardly from respective marginal edges 50 thereof. Each tongue 48 has a rib 52 which is received within the corresponding groove 44 as shown in FIG. 5 when the hand guard is closed. Each groove 44 is complemental to the corresponding rib 52, each rib having a convex outer surface 54 which slideably engages the inner surface of wrist portion 24 as the rib travels toward the groove.

Each tongue 48 is resilient so that it will be deflected slightly when its rib engages wrist portion 24. When the rib becomes aligned with the corresponding groove 44, it will snap into the groove and the tongue will then assume 3 the position shown in FIG. 5. When this occurs, the hand guard is closed and releasably locked.

To open the hand guard, it is necessary to separate the wrist portions. To do this, force must be applied in opposite directions to the wrist portions so that ribs 52 will drop out of grooves 44. The shells are then free to move apart, thus freeing the hand. This is best accomplished by pressing inwardly on opposed sides of wrist portion 26 since it is inherently resilient and can deflect at least through a distance to allow ribs 52 to move out of grooves 44. Then, the wrist portions are pulled apart. In use, the hand guard is positioned so that the shells are on opposite sides of the hand of the wearer. Wrist portions 24 and 26 are then quickly forced together so that shells 12 and 14 form space 22 and wrist portions encircle the wrist. Tongues 48 automatically move into wrist portion 24 and are deflected inwardly as ribs 52 engage the inner surface of portion 24. 7

When the wrist portions move into abutting relationship ribs 52 drop into groove 44 and lock hand guard on the hand (FIG. 5). The wrist is disposed within the cushioned members 34 so that no discomfort will be suffered. Also, space 22 is sufficiently large to allow some freedom of movement of the fingers so that the wearers hand will not be cramped.

To remove the hand guard, it is possible to press the sides of wrist portion 26 slightly as mentioned above so that tongues 48 are moved toward each other. This can be done because of the inherent resiliency of the material forming wrist portion 26. As the tongues move together, the ribs move out of groove 44. When this occurs, the shells can be swung apart to free the hand.

It is clear from FIG. 5 that the fastening means is wholly internal when the hand guard is closed. Thus, a wearer, who normally will have a hand guard on each hand, cannot have access to the fastening structure. In this way, positive locking action is assured and the hand guards will remain on the wearer until removed by an attendant.

Each shell and its corresponding wrist portion can be formed from a lightweight plastic material so that these two components are integral with each other. This simplifies the construction and allows the hand guard to be subjected to impacts without breakage. Also, inexpensive and well-known molded techniques can be employed in making the shell and wrist portion combination. This minimizes production costs without sacrificing reliability. The lightweight character of the hand guard also minimizes injuries to attendants who may be struck by the wearer. The spherical configuration is also an advantage here because of the absence of sharp corners which could easily cause injury.

What is claimed is:

1. A hand restraining device comprising: a pair of hingedly interconnected, relatively rigid shells adapted to be moved together to form a closed, hand-receiving space, each of said shells having a wrist portion extending laterally therefrom, the wrist portions being disposed to mate when said shells are together to form a tubular unit for encircling the wrist; and means on said wrist portions for releasably interconnecting the same, whereby said shells are held together and form said space.

2. A hand restraining device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said interconnecting means includes a resilient member on one of said wrist portions and a recess on the other wrist portion, said member being removably received in said recess when said wrist portions form said tubular unit.

3. A hand restraining device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each wrist portion is provided with a pair of spaced marginal edges extending away from the corresponding shell, one of said wrist portions having a pair of grooves on the inner surface thereof adjacent to and extending longitudinally of the corresponding marginal edges, the other wrist portion having a pair of resilient tongues rigid to and projecting outwardly from said marginal edges thereof, each tongue having a longitudinally extending rib, said tongues being movable into said one wrist portion and said ribs being receivable within respective grooves to thereby interconnect said wrist portions.

4. A hand restraining device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each shell has a hemispherical configuration and has air holes therethrough, and each wrist portion has a semi-cylindrical configuration.

5. A hand restraining device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each shell and the corresponding wrist portion are integral with each other and are formed from a molded, relatively self-sustaining, lightweight plastic material.

6. A hand restraining device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each shell has a marginal edge, the marginal edges of the shells being in abutting relationship when the shells are together to form said space, and wherein is included a lip secured to one of said shells adjacent said marginal edge thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom, said lip being disposed to guide said marginal edges into said abutting relationship as said shells are moved together.

7. A hand restraining device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each shell has a pair of opposed extremities, each wrist portion being secured to the corresponding shell at one extremity thereof, and wherein is included hinge means joining the opposite extremities of said shells, whereby said wrist portions are swingable toward and away from each other.

8. A hand restraining device comprising: a pair of hemispherical shells, each shell having air holes therethrough and an arcuate marginal edge, a first of said shells having an arcuate lip secured thereto adjacent to said marginal edge thereof and projecting outwardly from the last mentioned edge; a hinge connected to said shells for swinging the same toward and away from each other, said shells being movable into respective positions with said marginal edges thereof in abutting relationship to form a closed, hand-receiving space, said lip being disposed to guide said marginal edges into said abutting relationship as said shells are moved together; a semi cylindrical wrist portion for each shell respectively, each wrist portion being integral with the corresponding shell at a location thereon adjacent to the ends of the marginal edge thereof and diametrically opposed to said hinge, each wrist portion further being provided with a pair of spaced, outer edges, said outer edges being in abutting relationship when said shells are in said positions, whereby said wrist portions define a transversely circular, wrist-encircling unit; and a pair of resilient tongues secured to and extending outwardly from respective outer edges of one of said wrist portions, each tongue having a rib thereon, the other shell having recesses on the inner surface thereof adjacent to respective outer edges thereof, said tongues being movable into said other wrist portion and said ribs being receivable in respective grooves, whereby said wrist portions are releasably interconnected and said shells are held in said positions to form said space.

9. A hand restraining device as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided porous cushioning material secured to the inner surface of each wrist portion respectively, said wrist portions having air holes therethrough.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 824,174 6/1906 Clark et a1. 128-133 1,298,158 3/1919 Bartram 128133 3,253,589 5/1966 Shook 128-133 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 22, 16 

8. A HAND RESTRAINING DEVICE COMPRISING: A PAIR OF HEMISPHERICAL SHELLS, EACH SHELL HAVING AIR HOLES THERETHROUGH AND AN ARCUATE MARGINAL EDGE, A FIRST OF SAID SHELLS HAVING AN ARCUATE LIP SECURED THERETO ADJACENT TO SAID MARGINAL EDGE THEREOF AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM THE LAST MENTIONED EDGE; A HINGE CONNECTED TO SAID SHELLS FOR SWINGING THE SAME TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, SAID SHELLS BEING MOVABLE INTO RESPECTIVE POSITIONS WITH SAID MARGINAL EDGES THEREOF IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP TO FORM A CLOSED, HAND-RECEIVING SPACE, SAID LIP BEING DISPOSED TO GUIDE SAID MARGINAL EDGES INTO SAID ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP AS SAID SHELLS ARE MOVED TOGETHER; A SEMICYLINDRICAL WRIST PORTION FOR EACH SHELL RESPECTIVELY, EACH WRIST PORTION BEING INTEGRAL WITH THE CORRESPONDING SHELL AT A LOCATION THEREON ADJACENT TO THE ENDS OF THE MARGINAL EDGE THEREOF AND DIAMETRICALLDY OPPOSED TO SAID HINGE, EACH WRIST PORTION FURTHER BEING PROVIDED WITH A PAIR OF SPACED, OUTER EDGES, SAID OUTER EDGES BEING IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP WHEN SAID SHELLS ARE IN SAID POSITIONS, WHEREBY SAID WRIST PORTIONS DEFINE A TRANSVERSELY CIRCULAR, WRIST-ENCIRCLING UNIT; AND A PAIR OF RESILIENT TONGUES SECURED TO AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM RESPECTIVE OUTER EDGES OF ONE OF SAID WRIST PORTIONS, EACH TONGUE HAVING A RIB THEREON, THE OTHER SHELL HAVING RECESSES ON THE INNER SURFACE THEREOF ADJACENT TO RESPECTIVE OUTER EDGES THEREOF, SAID TONGUES BEING MOVABLE INTO SAID OTHER WRIST PORTION AND SAID RIBS BEING RECEIVABLE IN RESPECTIVE GROOVES, WHEREBY SAID WRIST PORTIONS ARE RELEASABLY INTERCONNECTED AND SAID SHELLS ARE HELD IN SAID POSITIONS TO FORM SAID SPACE. 